THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 35 



that is suitable to the size o the fish you bait 

 with. In no case have your hook too large for 

 the fish you put on it. The way to bait it is, to 

 put your baiting-needle into the fish's mouth, 

 and forcing it up the middle of the fish, bring it 

 out at the tail. Then looping on your gorge- 

 hook, draw it with your needle straight through 

 the fish, turning the points of the hook upwards 

 towards the eyes of the fish. Then, with a 

 pair of scissors, cut off all the fins of the fish, 

 with the exception of one on the side, which 

 will help to turn the bait in the water. Having 

 done this, tie the tail of the fish fast to the 

 wire with a piece of thread, and having cut 

 the ends off, cut off also the tip of the tail of 

 the fish, so that as you draw it in the water, it 

 shall not stick against the weeds, &c. ; your 

 hook and bait will then be ready to fasten on 

 your line. It should not be tied on, but 

 hooked on a swivel, tied to the end of your 

 line, which will permit your bait to spin in the 

 water as you draw it through. All hooks for 

 jack-fishing are tied on gimp, to prevent the 

 jack from biting them in half with their sharp 

 and merciless teeth. But be sure your gimp 

 is fine, for when it is not, it is in my opinion, 

 a great objection, especially if the water be 



